PRESTON TOURS
Avenham
This is our original city tour. It takes you along ancient thoroughfares to uncover a mixed
history of agriculture and industry, poverty and wealth. Discover some of Preston's hidden
delights.
Catholic Preston
Preston, the town of the priests, abounds in Catholic history - from St Wilfrid to 'Daddy'
Dunn. Learn of the struggles in penal times and understand the great gift of education and
welfare the catholic movement has bequeathed our city.
History and Architecture of Central Preston
Join us as we discover why the Flag market was the economic and social heart of Preston for
centuries. We also visit the covered markets, old town halls, old police station and the corn
exchange.
Church Street
Come and discover Patten House, a couple of ancient churches, a famous cheese shop, a
wire works, mounted police, a massive cotton works and lots of cobbles!
Friargate
This ancient street once led to a Friary, a canal, schools, railways, warehouses, gasworks and
churches. Most of this ancient and industrial past.has vanished now, but we can still find
clues as we weave in and out of this transforming neighbourhood.
In and Around Frenchwood
Let's take a stroll around Frenchwood and learn a little of its history from cotton empires to
convents; from Roman soldiers, and Oliver Cromwell to St. Augustine''s 'the church with the
especial concern for the poor.'
Jacobites 1715
On 14th November 1715 the Jacobite army surrendered in Preston. A description of the
events and tour of the sites associated with this dramatic event in British history.
Pubs and Beerhouses in Preston
A leisurely walk around the historic centre of Preston looking at one of the world's oldest
pastimes - drinking beer! From Scotch ale to the modern pub the walk will pass the sites of
famous and not so famous Inns, pubs and taverns. The walk will involve visiting some of the
most interesting "watering holes" in the city centre.
Spotlight on Entertainment
A look for the sites and stories of entertainment in Preston. Theatres, Cinemas, fun and
games in the Centre of Preston.
Spotlight on Transport
Roads, Canals, Railways. Transport technology has always been at the centre of Preston's
economic success. This tour looks at some of the most important developments which have
helped to create the modern city.
Winckley Square
An evening stroll around the delightful Winckley Square. Beautiful Georgian and Victorian
homes full of unique stories from individuals that shaped our city
Avenham Park
Ladies Walk, Avenham Park, Miller Park, and the river Ribble - all right in the heart of
Preston. Come on a walk, enjoy the beauty, and learn of the history of the area.
Charles Dickens and Coke Town
A walk through Victorian Preston and a look at evidence for the popular belief that Charles
Dickens famous novel Hard Times was based on his visit in 1854.
Ghosts and Murderers
Preston has more than its fair share of spooky sightings and macabre tales of murder and
violent death. Come on this trail through old Preston ........ if you dare ! (Runs on selected
Thursday evenings.
Preston’s People
Some of the saints and sinners we heard about in the tour last year, and a few new ones!
Lost Churches of Preston
So many churches of every denomination flourished in our city centre in the 1800s. Now so
many of them are car parks or shopping arcades. Where were they? Why were they
demolished? What remains?
Preston at War
Come and discover how Viking skirmishes, the Battle of Preston, the Jacobites, the American
War of Independence, the Napoleonic War, the Boer War, the American Civil War and the
two World Wars all influenced Preston - often in quite dramatic ways.
A Walk through Fishergate
A stroll down and around ancient Fishergate. Looking at the sites and stories of the road to
the Ribble
DATE
MAY
27TH
JUNE
3RD
JUNE
10TH
JUNE
17TH
JUNE
24TH
JULY
1ST
JULY
2ND
JULY
8TH
JULY
15TH
TH
JULY 16
JULY 22ND
JULY 29THJ
JULY 30TH
AUGUST 5TH
AUGUST 12TH
AUGUST 13TH
AUGUST 19TH
AUGUST 26TH
AUGUST 27
SEPT 2ND
SEPT 9TH
SEPT 10TH
SEPT 16TH
AFTERNOON
EVENING
HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE
OF CENTRAL PRESTON
AVENHAM
CATHOLIC PRESTON
CHARLES DICKENS
FRENCHWOOD
PRESTON AT WAR
WINCKLEY SQ
TRANSPORT
CATHOLIC PRESTON
FRIARGATE
JACOBITE WAR
CHURCH ST
PRESTON’S PEOPLE
ENTERTAINMENT
AVENHAM PARK
CATHOLIC PRESTON
WINCKLEY SQ
LOST CHURCHES
FRIARGATE
LOST CHURCHES
PUBS AND BEERHOUSES
PRESTONS PEOPLE
CHURCH STREET
GHOSTS AND MURDERERS
FISHERGATE
FRENCHWOOD
GHOSTS AND MURDERERS
PRESTON AT WAR
FRIARGATE
GHOSTS AND MURDERERS
CHARLES DICKENS
WINCKLEY SQUARE
GHOSTS AND MURDERERS
TRANSPORT
CHURCH ST
GHOSTS AND MURDERERS
PRESTON AT WAR
PUBS AND BEERHOUSES
GHOSTS AND MURDERERS
AVENHAM
SEPT 23RD
SEPT 24TH
SEPT 30TH
OCTOBER 7TH
OCTOBER 14TH
OCTOBER 21TH
OCTOBER 28TH
NOVEMBER 14TH
PRESTON’S PEOPLE
ENTERTAINMENT
HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE
OF CENTRAL PRESTON
AVENHAM
FRENCHWOOD
PRESTON AT WAR
JACOBITES
FISHERGATE
GHOSTS AND MURDERERS
CHARLES DICKENS